Beet topper



Dec. 15, 1953 Y L. BOTIMER 2,662,361

BEET TOPPER Filed March r'7, 1949 7 Sheets-Shea?l 1 INVENTOR. zw/.0 or/MER Dec. 15, 1953 L. BOTIMER 2,662,361

BEET TOPPER Filed March 7. 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. BOTIMER BEET TOPPER Dec. 15, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 7, 1949 INVENTOR.

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vm N L. BOTIMER BEET TOPPER Dec. 15, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 7, 1949 INVENTOR.

By mm @o7/MER @mm wwf L. BOTIMER BEET TOPPER Dec. 15, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 7, 1949 mN Ah.

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By z or@ aar/mf@ Patented Dec. 15, 1953 AUNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE 2,662,361 ET TOPPER Lloyd Botimer, Vassar, Mich. Application'March 7, 1949, Serial No. 86,068

(Cl. 56-12L46) n 10 Claims.' 1

This invention relates generally to beet har'- vesting apparatus andrefe'rs more particularly to improvements in beet harvesting apparatus of the general type disclosed in my copendin'g application Serial No.y 736,886, filed March 24, 1947, now Patent No. 2,509,757. v

It is one of the objects of this invention to simplify the construction of the apparatus and provide a more compact assembly capable of being readily attached to farm type tractors without appreciably modifying the construction of the latter.

It is another object of this invention to provide beet topping mechanism having a cutter rotatable about an axis inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical and movable generally vertically while maintaining the predetermined angular relationship aforesaid of the cutter axis. This arrangement 'e'nables the use of a cutter in the form 'of a large diameter disc and permits locating the disc in proper cutting relationvto a preceding beet Without interference from the next adjacent succeeding beet.

It is still another object of this invention to pivotally connect the cutter Supporting means to a suitable frame by a parallelogr'am arrangement of linkage operated by a follower positioned to engage the beets in advance of the 'cutter and raise the cutter to the proper elevation for severing the'top off the beet previously contacted by the follower. Thus the elevation of the cutter is determined by the height of the beet immediately preceding the cutter and only the very top of the beet is severed regardless 'of the extent to which the beet projects above the ground.

It is a further object of this invention to strip the foliage off the beets prior to engagement of the follower with the beet tops, and lthereby eliminate to a great 'extent any effect the foliage may have on vertically positioning the cutter vwith respect to the beets. The above may be accomplished by `a disc supported in `advance of Athe follower for rotation in a plane substantially normal to the path 'of travel of the apparatus -along a beet row -and having a flexible peripheral portion engageable with the `beet tops. In use lthe peripheral portion of the disc v whips across the beet tops, and the resulting friction strips or removes the major portion of the foliage from the beet tops.

position during the cutting operation and for releasing the cutter subsequent to the cutting operation.

The foregoing as Well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view with parts vbroken away of a beet harvesting apparatus showing the same applied to a tractor;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view with parts broken away similar to Figure 1 showing the parts of the beet harvesting apparatus in a different position; y, y

Figure 3 is anenlargedfragmentary side ele vational view of the 'beet harvesting apparatus showing the same jstill another position;

Figure e is a sectional side elevational View of the beet harvesting apparatus having a number of parts broken awayfor the sake of clearness; Y

Figure 5 is a plan A'view of the beetharvesting apparatus; l

Figures 6, 7, 8, T9, V10,11 and 12 are respectively sectionalviews taken on the lines 6 6, '1 -1, 8 8, 9---9,V Iii-'lm Il-ll and l2-l2 of Figure 4; Y Y

Figure '14 is anV enlarged fragmentary front elevational View of a part ofthe beet harvesting apparatus; j Y

Figure 15 isa cross sectional View taken on the line 15j-"l5 of Figure ,4; and

Figure 1'6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of another ,part of the apparatus.

The beet harvesting apparatus forming the subject lmatter of this invention is -designated in the several figures of the drawings by the numeral 23., and is 'in the form of an assembly attachable as a unit lto a tractor 4designate zl generally in the drawings by the numeral 2l. The tractor "2| may be of any farm type, and the harvesting arnoaratusy `2il`is mounted at one side of the tractor between the front and rear axles of the latter. Y

AIhe harvesting'appai'atu's 2i] has a rectangularly shaped vfratrie '22 'which extends longitudinally of the tractor and 'forms a unitary support lfor the various instrumentalities 'of the! apparatus to be presently' described. In detail the rear end 213 ofi the i'afne is offset downwardly, andv is adapted 'to be suitably .clamped 'tothe underside ofthe I:rear a'itle of vthe tractor. The front end of the frafne 1Z2 is Welded or otherwise Secured to the upper end of a vertical plate 24 having a bracket 25 secured thereto adjacent the lower end thereof in a position to be attached to the framework of the tractor.

Suitably supported on the frame 22 between the laterally spaced side sills 26 is a beet topping mechanism 21. This mechanism comprises a cutter 28 in the form of a disc having the central portion secured to a plate 29 by a cap 30 and suitable fastener elements 3|. The plate 29 1s positioned at the tcp side of the cutter disc 28, and the cap 30 is located at the bottom side where it forms a protective shield for the cutter disc. The peripheral portion of the cutter discv 28 flares in a general upward direction to impart a dish-shaped cross section to the cutter disc, land the outer edge is ground or otherwiseformed to provide a cutting edge 32, shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. 'Y

It will also be noted from Figure 4 of the drawings that the plate 29 is recessed at its center for receiving the lower endof a shaft 33, and is secured to the shaft by a stud 34. The shaft 33 is surrounded rby a tubular shaft 35, `and is journalled in the lower end of the tubular shaft by a suitable bearing 3B. The upper end of the shaft 33 is journalled in a bearing 31 and projects upwardly beyond the bearing 31 for attachment to a beveled pinion 38.

The tubular shaft 35 is journalled in bearings 39 and 39' spaced from each other axially of the shaft and respectively secured to opposite ends of a tubular housing 49, The upper end of the tubular shaft 35 projects beyond the top bearing 39', and is secured to a cap 4l, which in turn, is either integral with or secured to the lower end of the bearing 31 for the upper end of the shaft 33. It follows from the foregoing that the tubular shaft 35 forms a support for the cutter shaft 33, and is capable of rotation relative to the latter shaft.

As also shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the tubular shaft 35 operates a casting Velement 42 positioned immediately above the cutter disc 28 for throwing the severed beet tops to one side of the row subsequent to the cutting operation. The casting element 42 comprises a sleeve 43 and an arm 44 extending radially outwardly from the sleeve 43. The sleeve 43 is suitably secured to the lower end of the tubular shaft 35 and the arm 44 is connected to the sleeve by a scraper 45. The scraper 45 is bent downwardly at the outer end to assume a position immediately adjacent the top surface of the cutter disc 28 and the leadingr edge 45 of the scraper is beveled as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings to remove any dirt or foreign matter that may become lodged on the cutter disc.

The shafts 33 and 35 are supported on the frame 22 with their common yaxis inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical. The angle of inclination is determined so that the low side of the disc 28 faces the front end of the frame in a position to engage the uncut beet immediately in advance of the cutter disc 28 and so that the rear side of the disc is elevated sufficiently to clear the ybeet just cut or topped by the disc 28. For supporting the shafts in the above position the means shown in Figure 3 of the drawings is provided. In detail a pair of bars 41 are secured to opposite sides of the tubular housing 49 in parallel relation to the shafts 33 and 35. Also as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, a pair of vertically extending plates 48 are respectively secured to the frame sills 2-5 and are connected at the upper ends by a pin 49. The upper ends of the bars 41 are connected by a similar pin 59 and the latter also serves as a pivotal support for the rear ends of a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly extending links or arms 5I. The links 5| are pivotally supported adjacent their front ends on a pin 49 and a counterbalancing spring 52 is connected :at its upper end to the front ends of the links beyond the pin 49. The lower end of the spring 52 is suitably anchored on the plates 43 and thereby tends to swing the beet topping mechanism 21 upwardly.

IIhe lower ends of the bars 41 are respectively pivotally connected to the rear ends of a pair of links or arms 53 by pins 54 which also serve to connect the adjacent ends of the bars to opposite v sides of the tubular housing 40.

ings.

The front ends of the links 53 are pivoted on a pin 55 which extends between the bottom portions of the plates 48 in the manner shown in Figure 6 of the draw- The above construction is such that the distance between the pins 49 and 55 approximates the distance vbetween the pins 50 and 54. Also the distance between the pins 49 and 59 is substantially the same as the distance between the pins 54 and 55. Thus the connection between the supporting housing 40 and frame 22 is accomplished by a parallelogram arrangement of linkage with the result that vertical displacement of the beet topping mechanism 21 is obtainable while maintaining the predetermined angle of inclination of the shafts 33 and 35 previously described.

The beet toppingmechanism 21 is shown in Figure 3 of the drawings in its lowermost position, and is elevated to properly position the cutter disc 28 relative to the next beet to be cut by a follower device 55. This device embodies extensions 51 respectively projecting forwardly from the lower ends of the bars 41 and connected at the front ends by a rod 58. A plurality of bars 59 are secured to the rod 59 in spaced relationship longitudinally of the rod, and project generally downwardly and rearwardly from the rod 58, as shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings. .The rear ends of the bars 59 are connected to another rod '55 which in turn serves to connect the lower ends of a pair of links 6| having the upper ends respectively pivotally connected to the rear ends of a pair of links or arms 62 by a pin 63. The links G2 respectively extend forwardly valong opposite sides of the housing 40 at the inner sides of the arms 41, and the front ends of the links are respectively pivged to the lower ends of the plates 48 by a pin The bars 59 are supported in such a manner that when the apparatus 2U is in use, these bars contact the beet tops in advance of the cutter disc 28. The bars 59 are inclined in a downward direction from the lower ends of the extensions 51 and have a sliding contact with the Ybeet tops in the manner shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. Attention is directed to the fact that the lowerA ends of the links 5l are provided with a series of vertically spaced openings 65 for selectively receiving the pin 60, and the rear ends ofthe links 62 are formed with longitudinally spaced openings 65 for selectively receiving the pm 53. This construction provides an adjustment enabling the elevation of the follower or bars 59 to be varied with respect to the elevation of the cutter disc 28.

Referring again to Figure 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that as the apparatus 20 is advanced by; the tractor'V v2 l-j aicrkrgK a beetrcm thefollower or barsj ,59" successivelyengage the'beetsinad- Vanceof'k theA cutteri disc 28; lis`V a resultfth'e bars S'Q-areswungj upwardly-about'the'axis of the rod .filandf impart anL upwardmovement to the links lili. This upward movement of the links 6| is transmitted toVV the rear` ends of the links62, and the'extent of swinging movement of theY links 62 about the axis of the pin tiltv depends upon the height of the' beet engaged by the bars 59. In accordancewigth this invention the cutter disc 28j' raisedlv a=` corresponding distanceV andV is thereby` located atthe-properY elevation to merely cut'tl'ie top off'tl'ie adjacent beet;

Foi-accomplishing the above result, the links 62 are" connected intermediatethe-endsby a pin andithelatter extends-throughenlarged openingsf 69"' formed in5 laterally-'spaced plates-99 and providesalost motion pivotal connection; The distancebetween-the pin 64= and the pin' s1 is alsot-he same as thedistance between the pins E9-andL 50.- As shownA in Figure 12` of the drawi-ng'st-he plates* 69-extend rearwardly from the housing, and are secured in lateral spaced relationship at the front ends by spacers lll which arewelded cr othemvise` secured to an arcuate plate 'H'. The plate 1I is-shown in Figure 4 of the drawings as extendingY lengthwise of the liousingbetween `the bearings 39 and 39', and issecuredi to the-rear side of the housing. Thus upward movement of the follower 55- is transmitt'edby thepin- 6-1-and-plates '69 to the supporting housin'gllforelevating-the cutter disc 23a distance depending upon they heightof the beet engaged by the follower.

Provision is also madeherein for swinging the cutter`v` disc andi-follower to a raised or inoperative position shownfin- FigureA l ofthe drawings. Asvshownin-Fligures 3, Sand' 13 a* pair of lateraily spaced links T2 are secured at their'front ends on aypin TISexter-iding betweenandisupported on the-plates 48% rIhel'- rearendsofthe links are normally engaged withta seat T4 inthe form of a bar extending transversely of the frameV 22 and secu-red to thesillsZS Also the rear end portions of thelinks 'l2 are connected by' a pivotpin l5 having apart intermediateV the links 'l2 forming an anchor for thelower end-of 'ajvertical rod 16. The upper end` ofthe rodflii` is slidably supported by-'ai-pvot pinv T having an opening intermediate the-endsfl'for ifreely` receiving' the rod' T6 and`T havingltheopposite ends respectively pivotally, connected* totheA links 51 adjacent the pin 59: Ashoulder isrsecured to `or formed on thefrod.` below the pin 11 i'n avposition to abut the bottom sideof the'y pin 11 when the beettopping mechanism? Zllf is lin its lowermostposition shown Figure 3 of the drawings;V

Referring`Y nowl to Figures 3, 4A and' of theV drawings-, l,it-.will b'eirnoted that a vertical Vlink l!)v is;secur`ed at its upperend on thepin 13. The lower end of the link 19 is connected tothe front endjtoff' a: lin'lcfiiy havingitslrearend suitably connected'.y to theshy'draulic' lifting armsvv (not shoifrnil forming astandard'- part oi-A orthodox tractors.; Itlfollbws from? the above" that* the application; offa, pulling f'o'roeinla rearward direc# tionzon ltlieglink;80*1 operates Ythe link' 19- to swing the rearendstof the links I2 upwardly from theV positicnathereof shownlin Figure3 of the drawings... Ufnivardl,mover'n'er-it-y of the rear ends of the-links `l2 "impar-tsk a1 Y correspondingA movement fi O links 5 li areeonjneeted-trf @ren-Queue wthroueli the bars if, it'ffollow'slthair tlie ciitteiedisc 28 and follower are elevated tjothe' inoperative" position shown in Figure 1i of thedrawingsg y The shaft 334 to which` the-cutter disc'E 2 8Vv is secured is driven' bytlepoweritakeeo sha-ft -80 forming apart of' the trajctor 2`|`5v andv'oonhected to the tractor enginein theusual manner. shown in Figures 1l andE 24v of-"tlfiejdrawfn'gs', a pulley 81 issecured-to the shaft 89 and is corrnected to a pulley 82: bye* be'lt" 83: "lf-hei pulley 8-2 is-secured to the-realendilof ashaft/84 shown in Figure 5 as-*extendin*forwardlyalong; one side'ofl the-frame 2`2and-Journalled in a/hou'sing 85U whichV is secured.'C toi; the adjacent sillr 261* of the'frame. A beveled pnion83isf secured: to the shaft 84 at the--vfrontend'xoff' the lhou'sig'; and meshes with' a beveled;p i'r'ri'on 8P lsecured tothe adjacent end of ashaftiti': p 'Ihevsliaf-ti* extends transversely of thei frame-122m th'elf-rontf end: of the latter, and is jcur'riallejclinI bearings` 891r'e= spectively secured" tothe platosI-ii, as showriin Figures 5 andv 6 ofthedrawing's.

The shaft 83 is operatively"connected torthe pinion 38 at the upper end of the'lshaft 33 by the following'mechanism-whiclris shown in Figures iV and 5 of the drawings.; In-d'etaila sprocket is secured totheshaft88;'andjis'connected'to a sprocket 9| by a chain: VTli'eisprocket 9i" extends between the upperend portions' ofi` the bars lil, and is suitably-jouriflalledonashaft'93; Mounted on the shaft 93aind`1securedto the sprocket 9! isa beveledpiniongadithis pinioii meshes with the beveled pinidn-L iid-'secured to*A the upper end ofY the'shafti33". 'lfhus'titiwil b'ein'lited,i that the shaft 33\is*drivendroiiithejp'oweiftake? off shaft 80, and sinceitlietciitterdisc'Ztis" see cured to the lower-endioftheshaftti it follows that this disc is'rotatedfasaf.uitwiththeshaft 33; It will be not'edbtha'tithedistanee"between: the axis of the shaftiandtheaxis of the'shaft 93 approximates the-distance between theepiv'ot pins 49-and 50; Thepurpcseiof'ithis arrangement is to enable verticali' displacement of the' beet topping`4 mechanismJ 2TI by the' parallelograrn are' rangement of linkage withoutdisturbing the`driv= ing connection betweenfthepowertake-oif'shaft B0 and the cutter disci-8*. K

As stated above'- theV`V oasting-eiement liZisf ro;- tatable about the' axisi' ofirota'tion" ofthe cutter' disc 28 to throw the severed-*beet tops' to one side of the row being traversed-bythe'apparatus. In accordance witl'r this: inventionVv the casting element 42 is periodicallyrotatedin timedrelation to the operation of the cutting'rdisc28'; More particularly the casting g element is rotated' im'- mediately following'vthe-v operationI of the ycutting discv 28 toY cut thetopl 'portion-,oftaibeet so that this top portion is cast toone'sidebythe arm 44 of the element 4-2. As shown inFigures 4 and l5 of the drawings, theshaitl 33` isiccn'nected to'the' tubular shaft 35 for-rotating' the' casting, element' 42 by a suitable clutch 95'; Thisiclutch embodies a plate 96 secured to the shaft 33 between'thef pinion 38 and the bearing3l`. Also the clutch in-A cludes a pawl or latch member?! pivo'tallyy supeported by a pin 98 on the`-plate^4ll tov onel side of the tube 35 for rocking movementabout an axis;v parallel to the axis of rotation1 offtheI shaft 35. The pawl 97 has an arm 99fwhi`ch projects outwardly for selective engagementjwith a-pluralityof pins [00 extending downwardly from the plate 96 and spaced circumlferentiall'y'from--oneJ arr-- other around the periphery ofitliefwplate;r The pawl 91 has anadditional -aiir-llfwhicli ex-' screws |09. .sliding movement toward and away from the cam in a housing secured to the arcuate plate 1|.

7 tends outwardly in angular relationship to the arm 99, and is normally urged into engagement with a stop pin |02 on the plate 4| by a spring |03. This position of the pawl is indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1.5 of the drawings, Vand when in this position, the outer end'of the arm 99 is in the path of travel of the pins |00. Thus as the plate 96 rotates with the shaft 33 in the direction of the arrow in Figure of the drawings, one of the pins |00 contacts the outer end of the arm 99, and impartsa rotative movement to the shaft 35. On the other hand, when the pawl 91 is in the full line position thereof shown in Figure 15 of the drawings, the arm 99 rests against a stop pin |04 projecting upwardly from the plate 4| in a position tolocate the arm 99 out of the path of travel-.of the pins |00. Thus in the full line or inoperative position ofthe pawl, the plate or shaft is disconnected from the clutch plate 96 and rotation of the casting element 42 is discontinued.

As will be presently described the pawl 91 is held against the action of the spring |03 in its inoperative or full line position shown in Figure 15 of the drawings by the front end of a rod |05. This rod remains in blocking -position with the arm |0| of the pawl 91 until completion of the cutting operation by the disc 28. Immediately after the cutting operationthe rod |05 is shifted out of blocking engagement with the pawl, and the latter is operated by the spring |03 to impart rotation to the casting element 42. In order to .avoid reverse rotation of the casting element a tube surrounding the shaft 35'between the bearings 39 and 39 and secured to the shaft 35 by The plungerV |06 is supported for A spring is located withinthe housing ||0 land urges the plunger |06 against the cam |01. The cam |01 has an abrupt shoulder ||2 positioned to engage the inner end of the plunger ;and prevent any tendency forthe shaft 35 to reverse its direction of rotation uponY being dis- .connected from the driving mechanism.

Also in accordance withthe present invention the cutting disc is held in its elevated position 'throughout the cutting operation, and this is' :accomplished by releasableV latch mechanism |3 ,shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. ireleasable latch mechanism comprises a pair of 4laterally spaced plates l I4 extendingvbetween the vplates 89 and respectively having upstanding ears l|5 intermediate the ends. Asshown in Figure '7 of the drawings the plates 69 are respectively formed with similar ears IIB, and the latter are pivotally connected to the ears ||5 by a pin ||1 so that the plates ||4 are actually pivoted to the plates 09 for swinging movement about the pin ||1. The opposite ends of the plates are heldswinging movement in a vertical plane. The jaw |2| is positioned rearwardly beyond the jaw ||9 andV cooperates with the latter to grip a vertical bar |23 therebetween. The lower end of the bar |23 is pivotally supported on the frame 22 by a pin |24, and cooperates with the gripping jaws in the position thereof shown in Figure 4 of the drawings to hold the beet topping mechanism 21 in its elevated position.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that the gripping jaw ||9 is connected to the plates ||4 by toggle linkage |25. The linkage |25 comprises a pair of links |26 having their adjacent ends pivotally connected together by a pin |21, and having their outer ends respectively pivotally connected to the jaw |39 and to the plates H4. The arrangement is such that when the toggle linkage |25 is in its extended position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the jaw ||9 urges the bar |23 toward the jaw |2|. The jaw |2| is normally swung upwardly into frictional contact with the bar |23 by a coil spring |28 having one end connected to the plates l lil, and having the other end connected to the jaw |2| rearwardly beyond the pivot |22. In this connection attention is called to the fact that when the gripping jaws are in clamping engagement with the bar |23, the jaw is inclined in a downward direction, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. rlhus upward movement of the plates i 24 or beet topping mechanism 1 relative to the bar is permitted, but downward movement lof the plates H4 in relation to the bar 123 merely increases the gripping action, and is prevented.

The toggle |25 is operated by a vertical link |253 having the upper end pivoted to the pin |21 and having the lower end pivoted to the rear end of a link |30. The link |30 is pivoted intermediatethe ends on the plates 60 by a pin |3|, and the forward end of the link is positioned in the path of the pin 61, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. In fact in Figure 3 of the drawings the front end of the link |30 actually rests on the top of the pin S1, so that upon initial upward movement of the follower 5t, the pin ii'i engages the link |30 and swings the latter in a clockwise direction about the pin ISI. As a result of this swinging movement of the link |30, the link |29 is moved downwardly to extend or straighten the toggle linkage |25, and thereby operate the latch mechanism ||3 to grip the bar |23. As previously described, continued upward movement of the follower 56 causes the pin 01 to engage the upper edges of the enlarged openings 68 in the plates 69 and thereby elevates or raises the beet topping mechanism 21. For reasons noted above, upward movement of the beet topping mechanism 21 is permitted, notwithstanding the fact that the bar |23 is gripped between the jaws ||9 and |2| of the latch mechanism.

When the beet topping mechanism is raised by the follower 56 to the elevation determined by the beet engaged by the topping mechanism, any tendency for the beet topping mechanism to drop is positively prevented by the gripping action of the jaws on the bar |23. The beet topping mechanism 21 is maintained by the latch |3 in its elevated position until the top of the beet has been severed. The latch ||3 is then released in a manner to be presently described, and the topping mechanism 21 drops by gravity to its lowermost position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. However, when the weight of the beet topping I9 mechanism 21 is transferred to th'elatch ymecha'- -msm I lf3 asis the case just lprior tothe cutting .operation there isa :tendencyfor'the beet topping mechanism to drop slightly. 4:Asaresultcf this slight downward movement lofithe 4beet top- '.ping :mechanism i2?, .theilplates ||f4 swing downwardly -a .corresponding [distance .about the .point of contact of the cooperating .jaws with the bar 1:23, Vian-d this movement is transmitted to the rod |55 to Vdisengage the saine from 'the 'pau/.13:1 vand initiate the operation Vof the Casting element Aft2. fn detail it will be noted that :the rear end ofthe v`rod |55 extends throughan `opening formed sinffan enlarged extension |32 of vthezpin |f|1,-and;a portion of the rod intermediate the ends ex*- te'nds through an enlargement |32' at one end lof a pin 'I3-li extending through the -plates |.|"4acl jacent the front ends thereof. .As shown in .Figure "8 the pin |34 has an opening :intermediate the ends for slidably receiving the upper end -of a generally vertically extending pin I|35. The .lower end of the pin I 35 is pivotally'connected to the lplates IGS by a lpin |35 extending between :the latter plates. Upward .movement of the rod |05 relative to the pin |35 is resisted by a nut |31 threaded on the upper end Aof the pin |35, and downward movement of the vrod is determined by an annular shoulder v|38 formed on .the pin |35. A coil spring |39 is `provided'on the pin |35 and normally urges the `rod |05 `against the mut |31. When in this position the front-end of the rod |05 is located in blocking relationship to the pawl V91, and the `nut |31 may be .adjusted to insure accurately positioning the rod relative to the pawl.

It follows from the above that when the front ends of the plates ||4 4swing downwardly Islightly about the pin lli, the rod |05 is moved in acorresponding direction against the action .of the spring |39 until the pin |34 lcarrying the rod abuts the shoulder |38. When the -rod is in its lowermost position determined by the shoulder |38, the front end of the latter is swung out of blocking engagement with the pawl 91, `andthe latter is moved by the spring |03 to establish a driving connection between the plate v96 and the tubular shaft 3,5. As a result the casting Velement 42 is lrotated by the shaft 35 to throw the severed beet .top to one sideof the row.

:Rotation of the tubular shaft -375 by the Aclutch 95 imparts a corresponding rotation to the cam |01, and the latter has the .additional function of releasing the latch I3 in timed relation to rotation of the shaft 35. .As shown in Figures 4 and 10, a projection |40 is formed on the cam '|01 in a position to engage the inner end of a plunger `|`4| during each revolution of the tubular shaft 35.. The plunger |4| is slidably mounted in a sleeve |42 carriedlby the arcuate plate 1|., and the outer end of the plunger is connected to a rockarmf|43. The rock arm |43 is pivoted on the plates 69 by a Ypin |44 and is connected to a 'vertical bar |45 intermediate the ends of the latter. The 'upper end of the bar |45 is located 4directly below the pivotally connected ends of 'the toggle links T26, and the lower end of the bar is shown in Figure '1 of the 'drawings as slidably supported on a pivot pin |41 Yextending between the plates 59. A collar |48 is secured to the -lower end of the bar |45 below the pin |41, 'and 'a Acoil spring |49 is positioned between the collar |48 and the pivot |41. The purpose of the coil spring is to maintain the bar |45 in its inoperative or lowermost position with respect to the -toggle links 1'25. EThe above construction Vis such vthat 4after one com plete revolution of `the `casting element l2, the

foam projection 1MB operates the rock arm |43 Tthrlougi lthe medium 'of the plunger |4| to raise the rod 1145 against the action of the spring |45. shown in .Figure '1 of the drawings, upward movements-ofthe rod |45 swings the toggle linkage upwardly 'to the position thereof shown vin 'Figure 43 `of thedrawings and releases thelatch f|-|3. A-sfa result of releasing the latch |`|3 the beet toppingmechanism 21 drops by gravity to its lower-most position l:shown in Figure 3 of .the ldrawings. As the plates 69 move downwardly with `the beet topping mechanism 21, the spring |139 swings the -forward end of the rod |05 vupwardly to locate the front end thereof in blockling relationship `to the pawl 91. Whenthe -rod I|05 tis in the yabove position, the arm |0| on the -pawl engages the front end of the rod |05, and swings l-to the .full line position shown in Figure 11'5 oi' thedrawings, 'wherein the arm 90 is released fromvthe adjacent pin |00 on the clutch plate 95. As `a result the "tubular shaft 35 and associated casting `mechanism 42 are disconnected from the 'clutch plate 49'6. The rod |05 remains in its blockfing position until the Vnext cycle of operation.

It has been `stated above that the eleva-tion of the disc 25 during the cutting operation is de termined bv eng-agement of the follower 55 vwith the preceding beet inthe row. In order to more accurately position the cutting disc 28 relative to the beets, provision is made herein for stripping the foliage ofi fthe top of the beets. As shown in Figures l 'to 5 inclusive of the drawings, a. disc |50 formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or some equivalent 'resilient `material is secured to a 'shaft `V|-5| which in turn, is rotatably supported on the plate 24. A pulley |52 is secured to the shaft |51 adjacent the disc |50 and is connected to another pulley !53 by a belt 55. The pulley |153 iis secured 'to the 'fr-ont end of the shaft 84, vwhich as stated above is supported in the tubular housing 85. The diameter VVof the disc |58 is determined to contact vthe top portions of the beets in the manner indicated in .Figure 2, As a result advancement of the apparatus along a row of beets causes the 4peripheral portion of the disc |50 to wipe'across the top portions ofthe beets, and strip the foliage from the latter. To assist in this op eration, `suitable metal inserts |55 may be fsecured to the peripheral portion 'of the resilient disc.

Operation Assuming that the parts of the apparatus are in their inoperative positions shown in Figure l of the drawings, and 'that it is desired to traverse a row of beets, the usual hydraulically actuated lifting arms 'Knot shown) of the 'tractor `2| are operated to advance the link 88'. Forward movement of the link IBS' operates the link 1B tosvving the iinks 12 downwardly against the stop ill. tThe ro'd 16 `rnoves downwardly with the rear ends of the links TF2 and permits the parallelogram ar rangement of linkage to lower the beet topping mechanism 21 as well ias the follower 56 'to the lowermost positions shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The remaining parts of the apparatus also iassume the relative positions shown in Figure B, and the apparatus is in condition for varl'- vaneement along fa row of beets.

the apparatus moves along a row of beets, the follower V55 engages the top portion of a beet and swings the rear ends of 'the links 52 up'- wai'clly about the pin 54. lUpon initial upward movement of the links 62 the pin 51 engages the front end oi the link |35 and swings the rear end ofthe link |35 downwardy to straighten the toggle links |26, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. As a result of straightening the toggle linkage |2t the vertical bar |23 is gripped between the clamping jaws |9 and |2I. Continued upward movement of the links 62 engages the pin Gi with the plates 69 and swings the parallelogram linkage upwardly to raise the cutting disc 28 a distance depending on the height of the beet engaged by the follower. The relative position of the follower 56 and cutting disc 28 is such that the disc severs the top portion of the beet as the follower travels beyond the beet. The disc 2 is retained in its elevated position throughout the cutting operation by the latch H3.

However, as the follower 56 moves beyond the top portion of an adjacent beet, the weight of the mechanism 2l' is transferred to the latch H3. Inasmuch as the plates H4 carrying the latch gripping jaws cannot move downwardly relative to the bar |29, and since the plates H4 are pivoted to the plates 69 by the pin I I1, it follows that the front end portions of the plates will move downwardly to engage the pin |34 with the shoulder |36 on the pin |35, shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. in view of the fact that the rod iii slidably engages the pin |34, it also follows that the front end of the rod |95 swings downwardly out of blocking engagement with the pawl Si permitting movement of the latter to the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure of the drawings, wherein the arm 99 engages the adjacent pin It on the clutch plate 96 to impart a rotative movement to the tubular shaft 35. Thus the casting element 42 is rotated by the shaft 35 to throw the severed beet top to one side of the row.

As the tubular shaft 35 rotates, the cam projection |49 moves the rod |45 upwardly to release the latch H3, and thereby permit the beet topping rnechanism 2l to fall by gravity to its lowermost position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. This downward movement of the beet topping mechanism 2? returns the front end of the the rod iil to a position in the path of travel of the arm |9| on the pawl 91, and operates the pawl to release the clutch 95. As a result rotation of the casting element 42 is discontinued, and the apparatus is ready for the next cycle of operation. It is pointed out again that any tendency for the casting element 42 to rotate in a reverse direction by the reaction resulting from disconnecting the clutch 95 is prevented by engagement of the plunger |98 in Figure 11 of the drawings with the shoulder i i2 on the cam |91.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Beet harvesting apparatus comprising a frame movable along a row of beets, a supporting member mounted on the frame for movement in up and down directions relative to the frame, a shaft journaled on said member with its axis extending in an up and down direction and having the lower end spaced below the frame, a cutter mounted on the lower end portion of the shaft for rotation thereby, vertically spaced substantially parallel first and second arms having corresponding ends pivoted to the frame and having the opposite ends pivoted to the supporting member, the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the first arm being substantially the same as the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the second arm to permit raising and lowering of the cutter without changing the angular relationship of the shaft to the frame, a driving element supported on the 12 the supporting member for rotation and connected to said shaft, the axes of said elements lying in a common plane parallel to the arms, and means operatively connecting said elements.

2. The beet harvesting apparatus dened in claim l comprising a third arm pivoted to the frame for swinging movement in a vertical direction and having the swinging end connected to the supporting member, and a beet engaging part positioned in advance of the cutter and connected to the swinging end of the third arm.

3. The beet harvesting apparatus dei-ined in claim 2 comprising releasable latch means having cooperating engaging parts respectively mounted on the frame and supporting member for holding the supporting member in an elevated position relative to the frame, and means operated by the third arm for actuating said latch.

4. Beet harvesting apparatus comprising a frame movable along a row of beets, a supporting member mounted on the frame for movement in up and down directions relative to the frame, a shaft journaled on said member with its axis extending in an up and down direction and having the lower end spaced below the frame, a cutter mounted on the lower end portion of the shaft for rotation thereby, vertically spaced substantially parallel rst and second arms having corresponding ends pivoted to the frame and having the opposite ends pivoted to the supporting member, the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the rst arm being substantially the same as the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the second arm to permit raising and lowering of the cutter without changing the angular relationship of the shaft to the frame, means supported by the frame in a position to successively engage beets in advance of the cutter for elevating said cutter, said elevating means comprising a third arm pivoted to the frame for swinging movement in a vertical direction and connected to the supporting member, a beet engaging part connected to the swinging end portion of the third arm for operating the latter, and releasable latch mechanism operated by the third arm for holding said cutter in the elevated position determined by the elevating means.

5. Beet harvesting apparatus comprising a frame movable along a row of beets, a supporting member mounted on the frame for movement in up and down directions relative to the frame, a shaft journaled on said member with its axis extending in an up and down direction and having the lower end spaced below the frame, a cutter mounted on the lower end portion of the shaft for rotation thereby, vertically spaced substantially parallel rst and second arms having corresponding ends pivoted to the frame and having the opposite ends pivoted to the supporting member, the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the iirst arm being substantially the same as the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the second arm to permit raising and lowering of the cutter without changing the angular relationship of the shaft to the frame, a third arm pivoted to the frame for swinging movement in an up and down direction, a lost motion pivotal connection between the swinging end portion of the third arm and supporting member permitting limited swinging movement of the third arm relative to the supporting member, a beet engaging part connected to the swinging end portion of the third arm and positioned in advance of the cutter, releasable frame for rotation, a driven element mounted on 1330011 means having Cooperating engaging Darts respectively mounted on the frame and supporting member for holding the supporting member in an elevated position, and means operated by the third arm as the latter swings upwardly relative to the supporting member for operating said latch means.

6. Beet harvesting apparatus comprising a frame movable along a row of beets, a supporting member mounted on the frame for movement in up and down directions relative to the frame, a shaft journaled on said member with its axis extending in an up and down direction and having the lower end spaced below the frame, a cutter mounted on the lower end portion of the shaft for rotation thereby, vertically spaced substantially parallel first and second arms having corresponding ends pivoted to the frame and having the opposite ends pivoted to the supporting meinber, the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the iirst arm being substantially the same as the distance between the axes of the pivotal connections of the second arm to permit raising and lowering of the cutter Without changing the angular relationship of the shaft to the frame, a drive shaft journaled on the frame with its axis extending parallel to the pivot axes of the arms and having a sprocket secured thereto, a driven shaft journaled on the supporting member with its axis extending parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and positioned so that a common plane passing through the axes of the drive and driven shafts lies parallel to the arms, a sprocket fixed to the driven shaft, a chain connecting said sprockets, and means operatively connecting the driven shaft to the cutter shaft.

7. The best harvesting apparatus dei-ined in claim 6 comprising means connected to the supporting member and positioned in advance of the cutter for engagement with the tops of beets to elevate said cutter.

8. The beet harvesting apparatus defined in claim 7 having means operated by the elevating means for holding the cutter in the elevated position determined by said elevating means.

9. Beet harvesting apparatus comprising a frame movable over a row of beets, a supporting member mounted on the frame of movement in up and down directions relative to the frame, a shaft journaled on said member with its axis extending in an up and down direction and having the lower end spaced below the frame, a cutter mounted on the lower end of the shaft for rotation by said shaft, means connected to the supporting member and positioned in advance of the cutter for engagement with the tops of beets to elevate said cutter, and a stripper supported by the frame in advance of the elevating means and having means engageable with adjacent beets to remove the foliage from the tops of the beets.

l0. The beet harvesting apparatus deined in claim 9 wherein the stripper comprises a disc supported on the frame for rotation about an axis extending in the direction of movement of the frame along a row of beets and having a flexible peripheral portion engageable with the beet tops, and means for rotating said disc.

LLOYD BOTIMER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,554,485 Barrus Sept. 22, 1924 2,337,307 Beck Dec. 21, 1943 2,406,013 Grew Aug. 20, 1946 2,468,994 Moreau May 3, 1949 2,509,757 Botimer May 30, 1950 

